Regarding the decline in town centres, maybe it’s time for local councils to “press the reset button” and treat car owners not as pariahs but as potential customers.

For too long cars have been seen either as either a problem to be purged from town centres or a money making opportunity. The net result… town centres deserted and declining. It’s true online shopping has had an impact but many people would happily use town centre shops if local councils encouraged this. W

ycombe is fairly typical of current council thinking. Double yellow lines painted wherever possible (even in areas where parking is not a problem), charged parking the norm and traffic wardens on the prowl backed by CCTV cameras to look for any infringement of regulations, however minor.

Is it any wonder that more and more people simply give up using the town centre and go to supermarkets or out-of-town centres to shop? Why go to a local newsagent or small shop to buy a newspaper when the shop is surrounded by double yellow lines or it is necessary to pay a parking charge for the privilege? It really is time for councils to wake up and smell the coffee.

After all, there isn’t much revenue being earned in business rates when row upon row of shops stand empty.

As for Wycombe, here are a few examples where a new start could be made. First, how about more free 30-minute parking on existing single yellow lines so it is cost effective to use local shops? (Other councils have done it with remarkable success.) How about reviewing existing double yellow lines to see if single yellow lines are possible? Why not open up parking facilities in Frogmoor to encourage use of the area where it is pedestrianised?

The council has a choice; either continue to see a decline in the town centre or become proactive and encourage rather than discourage car owners.

The idea of purging cars from towns and seeing everyone use park and ride, or paying exorbitant parking fees, is a flawed concept. People will simply go where parking is free and convenient. Come on, Wycombe Council, be brave and “push the reset button”.

David Brazier, High Wycombe